Nephroprotective and Anti-hyperlipidemic Effects of Ethanol Extracts, Ethyl Acetate and N-Butanol Fractions of Pentaclathra macrophylla Leaf Extract on Paracetamol-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Wistar Rat

Background In view of the undesirable side effects of synthetic agents, there is growing focus towards the therapeutic evaluation of medicinal plants like Pentaclathra macrophylla (African oil bean) using systemic research methodology. However, scientific validation of its effects on lipid metabolism and nephroprotection is limited. This study investigates the nephroprotective and hypolipidemic effect of ethanol extract, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions of Pentaclathra macrophylla leaves for 56 days. Kidney markers and lipid parameters were evaluated using auto biochemical analyzer (Mindray XL-200). Sixty (60) male Wistar rats (150-200g) were randomly selected and divided into four major groups (A, B, C, and D) of 15 rats each. Groups A, B, C, and D represented the control group, ethanol extract group, ethyl acetate fraction group, and n-butanol fraction group, respectively. Results The results revealed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in renal parameters; creatinine, urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid levels in the treatment groups when compared with the positive control. There was also a corresponding favourable histology outcome in the examined kidney sections. The decline in the levels of renal parameters and the healthy histological features of the sectioned rat kidneys ranging from normal tissues to moderate degeneration in some high doses showed the ameliorative and protective properties of P. macrophylla leaf extract. The lipid profile values were significantly decreased in the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions except for the high density lipoprotein which was significantly elevated across the groups. The observed decrease in cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein levels and a significant increase in the high density lipoprotein levels of the treatment groups is beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Conclusion This study results suggests that P. macrophylla leaf extracts especially the ethyl acetate and N-butanol fractions could be used as nephroprotective and hypolipidemic agents. Further studies are recommended to isolate and characterize the specific bioactive compounds responsible for the nephroprotective ans hypolipidaemic effects of Pentaclathra macrophylla leaf extract.